Neroli and orange blossom: 7 bright niche perfumes

Neroli and orange blossom come from the same tree, the bitter orange. Neroli smells green and fresh, almost lemony. Orange blossom is rounder and sweeter, a little like honey. Both make bright, easy-to-love perfumes you can wear all year.

Here are seven niche perfumes to explore these two notes, from the freshest to the warmest. The notes we quote are the ones on our pages, nothing more.

The most direct: Matière Première Neroli Oranger

Neroli Oranger gets straight to the point: our pages list neroli and orange blossom, and that's it. No detours, no surprises, just the two sides of the bitter orange flower side by side. The right place to start if you want to know whether this family is for you. See Neroli Oranger.

The spiced classic: Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger

Launched in 1995, Fleurs d'Oranger brings together orange blossom, jasmine and tuberose, with cumin and nutmeg. The spices warm up the white flowers and give them a skin-like, almost sensual side. A more intense orange blossom, for anyone who finds the fresh versions too polite. See Fleurs d'Oranger.

The summer villa: BDK Parfums Villa Neroli

Villa Neroli opens on Calabrian lemon, neroli and petitgrain. The heart pairs orange blossom with Bulgarian rose, then the base sets down vanilla, vetiver, patchouli and labdanum. Fresh at first, warmer at the end: a neroli that still holds up long after your shower. See Villa Neroli.

The seaside: Nicolaï Cap Néroli

Cap Néroli is an eau de toilette. It opens on bitter orange petitgrain, orange, mandarin, rosemary and mint. The heart brings together neroli, ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom, then the base pairs oakmoss with musk. Citrus, herbs and flowers: the most invigorating one on the list. See Cap Néroli.

The rich cologne: Tauer Perfumes Cologne du Maghreb

Cologne du Maghreb lines up a long opening of citrus and herbs: mandarin, clementine, petitgrain, rosemary, clary sage, grapefruit, bergamot, lemon and lavender. The heart mixes neroli, orange blossom, geranium and rose, then the base brings together cistus, Atlas cedarwood, vetiver and labdanum. A cologne with depth, far from the ones that vanish within an hour. See Cologne du Maghreb.

The soft fruity one: Laurent Mazzone Neroli

Neroli opens on angelica, blackcurrant and lemon. The heart pairs orange blossom and neroli with lavender, then the base sets down peach and a skin musk. Blackcurrant and peach give it a fruity, velvety side, softer than the very green versions. See Neroli.

The light floral: Bon Parfumeur 002 Isola Neroli

002 Isola Neroli opens on bergamot, neroli and violet leaves. The heart brings together jasmine, lily of the valley and peony, then the base pairs musks with white amber and honey. Neroli leads the way, then makes room for a soft bouquet. Perfect if you want brightness without too much power. See 002 Isola Neroli.

Which one to choose?

• You just want to understand these two notes: Neroli Oranger.
• You love white flowers with character: Fleurs d'Oranger.
• You want something fresh for summer: Cap Néroli or Cologne du Maghreb.
• You want a neroli that lasts longer: Villa Neroli.
• You prefer soft and fruity: Laurent Mazzone's Neroli or 002 Isola Neroli.

A tip: neroli is often loud at first, then softens. Judge a perfume from this family after an hour on your skin, not on a paper strip. And compare prices on Fragist before you buy.